QUINTON JACKSON VS. FORREST GRIFFIN
In a night that was mostly uninspiring, thank god the the main event didn't let us down.
In a nip and tuck battle that lasted five full rounds, Forrest Griffin took the light heavyweight title by ridiculous scores of 48-46,48-46, and 49-46?
In the first round Griffin shows his strategy early as he double jabs and moves away, also mixing in leg kicks. Rampage looks to land uppercuts as Forrest leans in and connects with some big punches that wobble Forrest. Both fighters trade as the round comes to a close.
The second round starts and Forrest realizes the leg kicks are working and gives Rampage the business. Rampage is hurt by a leg kick, Griffin rushes in, fight hits the mat. Forrest rides Rampage for the rest of the round, peppering him with shots and looking for submission openings.
The third round sees a full round of standup action, with Rampage landing the harder shots, and Griffin sticking, moving, and landing leg kicks. Very close round.
Round four opens with some more standup. Rampage gets Griffin down, and almost gets caught in a triangle, which leads to his signature slam attempt. Forrest wisely lets the choke go to protect himself, scrambles to his feet, and Rampage lands a big left hand. Forrest abandons the leg kicks that worked so well earlier.
Round five is mostly uneventful, as Rampage stalks and Forrest counters and moves. Neither fighter lands anything big, but Griffin lands some kicks. Both fighters seem to be fine with standing the entire round. Fight closes with an exchange.
Forrest Griffin is the new light heavyweight champion.
Other Results
Patrick Cote def. Ricardo Almeida via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
Early on it looked as Almeida might outclass Cote with his ground game and submit him, but as the fight wore on Almeida found it difficult to get the fight to the ground. Almeida looks significantly gassed late in the fight. Cote lands some shots as he stalked Almeida. Very close fight that could have gone either way.
Joe Stevenson def. Gleison Tibau via submission (guillotine choke)
Some standup early on, Tibau slips and Stevenson tries a guillotine. Tibau gets out but late in second round shoots and gets caught in a tighter one and is forced to tap.
Josh Koscheck def. Chris Lytle via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 30-28).
In what is one of the bloodiest battles I've ever seen, Chris Lytle manages to make it to the final bell despite wearing a crimson mask from several cuts.
Lytle's standup bothers Koscheck early on, but Koscheck's ground n pound is in full effect later on. Lytle gets an ovation from the crowd for taking a pounding, and Koscheck gets booed for giving one to him.
Tyson Griffin def. Marcus Aurelio via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Tyson Griffin wins another decision. Aurelio can't get the fight to the ground often enough and gets worn down in the standup. On the ground Griffin works ground n pound, and avoids several armbar, triangle, and omoplata attempts. Griffin works Aurelio with combos in the third, and the fight closes with Aurelio trying to secure a submission.
Random Thoughts
Rampage looks light he lost a lot of weight for this fight. He looked slow, and kinda rusty early on.
Could just be me, but it looked like Rampage asked Dana White if the judges were giving the decision to Forrest and Dana reassured him of something. Maybe a rematch?
Although Rampage was very gracious in defeat, he appeared disgusted with the decision. Its a tribute to him he did not steal Forrest's moment with an "I was robbed!" tirade. Instead he gave Forrest credit, even saying Forrest "whipped his ass", but didn't sound very sincere, in my opinion.
Koscheck/Lytle was brutal to watch. I can't believe Lytle's people let him continue fighting after losing that much blood.
This fight shows the extreme difference in refereeing we are seeing nowadays. Seems like with the recent trend in stopping fights prematurely they let this one go on way too long.
Why does everyone hate Josh Koscheck? Is it because he's good? Or does he have Tito Ortiz in his top friends on his Myspace page?
Why can't Tyson Griffin finish a fight? He's been winning but I think the reason he hasn't received a title shot yet is the brass are waiting for him to do something better than grind out decisions.
After watching the main event several times, I still think Rampage won. I just don't see how you edge out a title fight if your the challenger. To me the fight was a close decision for Rampage or at worst a draw.
Those scores for Griffin were pretty ludicrous. Not saying that its a bad decision, but those scores were certainly not representative of the action that took place. I can't understand how not one of the judges scored the fight for Rampage. That 49-46 score was pretty head scratching as well.
Congratulations to Forrest Griffin, and I can't wait for a rematch of this fight.
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3 months ago
A very insightful article.
from 3 months ago
thank you Dorothy, I always appreciate your reads and your comments. Maybe its because most of the time you agree with me though! lol.
3 months ago
Listen Griffin dominated that fight ,except for the first round when rampage caught him. Griffin was the aggresor all night ,with the exception of rampage pulling out a few flurries here and there. You can keep watching the fight over and over but the nothing will change.Forrest is well desrved of this title.
from 3 months ago
How the hell do you win rounds and not land shots.
from 3 months ago
Steve, Im certainly not trying to take anything away from Forrest's win. Forrest is from my hometown and I know many, many, people that know Forrest and went to school with him. He is a local hero and I am very proud of him. I am simply saying I don't agree with NONE of the judges scoring the fight for Rampage and especially that 49-46 score.
from 3 months ago
I feel that this was a rigged decision. They're trying to push the TUF'ers like crazy. They get these noname fighters and sign them to crap contracts. They build these guys up on TUF and then people that are pretty much noobs to mma watch that crap show and buy into the hype and then go and buy the ppv. UFC makes loads of money off a nobody with borderline ability. On the other hand you have somebody like Rampage who has been around for years in KOTC and PRIDE and you know he's got a sweet contract and that doesn't make as much money for the UFC. Think about it. If you got into mma because of TUF, the UFC says hey you, watch this, it's called mma and this guy is a great fighter and then they throw him on a mock event and then on a ppv or 2 and then give him a shot at a title. So they've created a fan base for a nobody fighter and he's signed to a crap contract and UFC gets all of the benefit. As for this fight, Rampage had the first round, the second round Forrest layed on top of Rampage and slapped him in the face a few times...that was it. The rest of the rounds were split down the middle because of Forrest's leg kicks and Rampage knocking Forrest around with powerful punches. When a championship fight ends like that the fight should go to the Champion, but instead we get these absolutely ridiculous scores from the judges that must have been watching an old episode of the A-Team instead of the fight. That or they were just doing what they were told. Forrest is not a true champion and he will not successfully defend.
from 3 months ago
Wouldn't go that far Romper Stomper, but I agree that the UFC is probably happy that Forrest won. It does help legitimize TUF for them.
from 3 months ago
Romper, that's ridiculous, im certain that the UFC wants to push their TUF fighters, but to say that they promote them over and above tried and tested fighters is ludicrous. That's like telling chuck he has no chance against Rashad if it goes to a decision! Sure it could go against him, but only if he doesn't bring his 'A Game', and every fighter lives by those same rules. They all know not to let it go to the judges, but sometimes it happens, and they just have to deal with it! Forrest took that fight because he kept the pressure on, Rampage may well have hurt him more, sure, he's a bigger hitter, But forest kept on him, he applied a triangle, then let it go to avoid a slam (judges would have loved that, fuck i loved that, and i wanted nothing more than for rampage to do 'his slam'), Forrest kept on him on the ground and gave it to him until round end, he gave it to his legs (repeatedly). He took it to him the whole fight, and while none of us want to see a fight to go the distance, even less want to see someone have to hand a title over because of a judges decision. I think it's an insult to Forrest to say that he didn't earn it on his own abilities. Come on. Give the guy some credit. He earned this fight, and Thankfully (hopefully) we all get to see a re-match!
3 months ago
well you clearly dont mma to well...those scores were pretty damn close to what I had...The first round I thought could of went either way only cause rampage got the knockdown, but forrest pretty much won the rest of the round besides that by going for submissions and pushing the pace...the 2nd round was for sure a 10-8 round for forrest because he dominated that round, 3rd round rampage, 4th could of went either way, and forrest most certainly won the 5th round he landed so many body kicks and leg kicks...
from 3 months ago
10-8 maybe you aren't the one who does MMA. If you think someone deserves a 10-8 round for holding someone down you are a true jackass, and maybe you should hold your holier than thou comments for someone who really didn't watch the fight. 4th round that feeble attempt at a triangle where he didn't even secure Rampage's head kept Forrest in the round...gimme a fuckin break. The 5th round Forrest attempted leg kicks, missed most of them and landed a few.
from 3 months ago
Ryan, I scored the 1st for Rampage, 2nd and 3rd for Forrest, and the 4th and 5th for Rampage. I personally didnt give Forrest a 10-8 round in the second because I don't think he was ever close to finishing Rampage. The last two rounds were extremely close but I tend to favor punches that look like they hurt rather than pitty pat punches.
At worse, this fight was a draw. I believe to take a title from a champion you should have to win decisively. By the scoring of last night's fight, Machida will be the UFC light heavyweight full contact karate champion in no time. He will easily beat Forrest to do it too, and we will all suffer for it.
3 months ago
Koscheck got booed for his normal boring lay on the ground style. He came up with a few flurries that did damage, but other than that it was laying on the ground, and keeping the boring pace that he normally pulls.
from 3 months ago
STOP acting like a jackass, yes, you. Stop flaming. Stop trolling. It is not appreciated. Just because someone differs in opinion from you doesn't mean you need to tell them they're an idiot or anything of that like. That's not why we're here. Learn to conduct yourself or leave. (for all your posts in general) I'm sick of it.
from 3 months ago
Koscheck has ko's though, and he still got booed. Ive watched all his fights. He gets booed everytime pretty much. I don't understand why. I think there are FAR more boring fighters than Koscheck, and I think his fight with Lytle was anything but boring.
from 3 months ago
He is less boring than Machida, Sherk, and Jesse Taylor. I will definitely give you that, but I still think he is extremely boring. That's why I hate watching the guy.
As for my hate mail from the Aspiring poet Robert. I guess you can have fun on here doing your thing. I never called anyone an idiot I expressed my opinions, and when I do get worked up it is because someone is attacking on here. Like you, then I see that you are just a punk ass kid and that you like writing poetry...so whatever.
from 3 months ago
Forget it.
from 3 months ago
That's what I'm saying.
3 months ago
I think I am as shocked as everyone that Griffin pulled this off, but I can't say the decision was controversial. With the exception of the first and third rounds, he had control of the fight. When Rampage came out in the third and dropped some bombs, I thought it was close to being over for Forrest, but he really did show that he had matured as a fighter. I don't know how long he'll actually hold onto the belt, but last night, he was the better man, and now is the champion.
And with the Kos fight, he really doesn't have a style conducive to what fans enjoy seeing. He's a slow, meticulous, and pretty defensive fighter. His fight with Diego really showcased how he likes to score a couple quick points, and just hold opponents. Yeah, he beat Lytle, but it wasn't a fight anyone will remember. If Kos ever wants to be liked by anyone, he's going to need to do something flashy, and not rely on that drivel that he just swears by right now.
from 3 months ago
Well put, Ian. Except the point about no one remembering the Kos vs. Lytle fight. IMO, it is the most memorable fight of the night for the sheer amount of bleeding Lytle did. Did you see the mat? Holy Crap!! I think we will see that fight on UFC Wired and UFC Unleashed many times over. They will get lots of mileage out of that one b/c people (including myself) get exctied over blood.
from 3 months ago
Its hard not to root for Forrest, and he has come a long way Ian. He executed his gameplan to perfection last night. Im pretty sure its exactly as he envisioned winning. Stick, move, get caught, dropped, get back up, and keep going. Win by decision.
I'm wondering though if anybody other than me noticed that Rampage looked a little chubby, and came out very off his rhythm.
As for Koscheck, maybe your right. I'm starting to realize that to some fans he is their version of Machida. I personally hate Machida's point karate style, and many like it. Well I like Koscheck's ground n pound style, and others don't.
from 3 months ago
Oh the blood on the mat was horrendous. But in the long haul, Kos's fights aren't going to be any that're positively remembered. The Diego fight, IMO, was a disgrace because of Kos simply doing what little he had to do in order to get a judges decision. He needs to be able to finish a fight in big moments, rather than relying on holding opponents down, and basically restraining them, in order to get the victory.
3 months ago
Robbed by unanimous decision??....Dont think so...griffin worked harder on top and on bottom.Did you watch the fight? Rampage knew he lost the fight,you could see it in his eyes while waiting for the decision.As for the leg kicks, they were more for distraction. I think your probably a rampage fan (im a fan too) but you gotta give credit where credits due....Forrest beat him.
from 3 months ago
I think what we saw in Rampage's eyes was worry because he knew Forrest is EXTREMELY popular and thought he didn't have a good chance to win the decision. I thought when Dana stepped in with the belt it looked like Rampage asked him who won, and it looks like Dana said it'll be ok or something to that effect. The look on Rampage's face after that was his reaction to already knowing the decision, in my opinion. I could be totally wrong though.
As for credit, I give Forrest all the credit in the world. He has made the UFC, his fans, and his hometown proud. (he is from my city)
3 months ago
I cannot see that the decision was bad...I had Forrest winning the majority of the rounds. As for the comment that Forrest didn't land any punches...since when has MMA not counted kicks :)
from 3 months ago
Kicks certainly do count, ask Rampage today if they do. I bet he will have a significant limp for about a week. I once decided in the gym to let a guy give me his best leg kick, and I took it full power. I still have nightmares about the days after that, and the pain I endured. lol.
3 months ago
It's fights like this that make me wish the UFC used PRIDE's system of judging a fight on the whole, and not on a round by round basis. The 10 point must system works for a 12 round boxing match, but not for a 3 or 5 round MMA fight.
Looking at that fight as a whole, using PRIDE's criteria, I think Forrest clearly won, because he did more damage, was more aggressive, and came closer to finishing the fight. Rampage was losing the first round, but won it because of the knockdown. After that, he didn't do really do much. You could argue that he outpointed Forrest in the 4th and possibly 3rd, but all he did was land a few shots here and there.
I had it 48-47 Forrest, with Rampage winning rounds 1 and 4. Second round was not a 10-8 round. But looking at the fight objectively, whether via PRIDE or UFC rules, Forrrest won.
from 3 months ago
Well Jad, being a boxing fan for 15 years, and being a former boxer myself, I'm probably a little biased towards the ten point must system. I like to ask myself who landed the cleaner, more effective blows after each round. After the fight, I tend to ask myself who would I rather have been when scoring. By that train of thought, I would say Rampage, but just slightly.
I disagree Forrest did more damage, but I will agree that he scored more points. I think Rampage landed the harder, more effective blows, with the exception of those leg kicks.
Credit to Forrest though, he worked his gameplan to perfection, and is a champion now. I fear his reign will be short lived though, as I will explain in my next article......................till then Jad!
3 months ago
Rampage showed a hell of a lot of class in the midst of Dana White's bull [profane] (ie: "unanimous decision"). Personally, I wouldn't have said I got my "ass whupped" if I hadn't. Yes, he lost, and due to the fact that the most glaring injury of the night was Rampage's leg (even though Griffin's face was f-ed up badly), I feel that single injury was what garnered Griffin the ultimate favorable decision. Dana and the judges had the silver bullet they needed to overthrow Rampage - a bum leg.
I'd like to know how a guy can get knocked down (by a solid punch), take repeated combinations to the head, get slammed down more than a few times, and be held down for minutes at a time, but still rack up enough points to win...UNANIMOUSLY!! Hell, maybe I'm the only one who noticed but Griffin WALKED OFF BEFORE THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE, AS IF HE KNEW HE HAD LOST - that says something. I don't think he seriously thought he had done well enough to win the way the cards were read off - if he had, he would have stayed in his place beside the referee, as Jackson did.
Yet, Dana White and the judges came prancing in and made Griffin look three-times (notice I didn't say some crazy number like: 100) better than he actually did last night.
The fact of the matter is that Griffin didn't rack up enough points in the 1st, 3rd, and 4th rounds to merit a unanimous. I've got no qualms with the dude winning - because MAYBE he put on a convincing enough show (outisde of leg kicks) to actually take Jackson's belt.
But with the kind of absurdity displayed with the decision last night, I may have to seriously consider starting my own MMA company - that or take out Dana White.
from 3 months ago
I say let Forrest Griffin fight Machida in his first defense. Id love to see him lose his title to the same type of decision he won it by. lol.
3 months ago
If this was a regular match you could give the decision to Forrest but it wasn't. It was a championship fight w/ a belt on the line. To be the champ you have to overwhelmingly win the fight and that did not happen. As a general rule in title fights .... if you have to ask yourself if the contender did enough to win then you should not be scoring it for him. There should be no questions and no doubt but there was plenty of both afterwards. Either he earned the strap or he didn't and in this case forrest didn't. It should have been decision Rampage or a draw.
from 3 months ago
Amen brother Derek, preach on!
That's my only point in this entire argument. I'm not saying Rampage was robbed. I'm saying championship fights in general were robbed by that decision. You just don't take a title by close, could have gone either way decision.
The biggest fan of last night's decision has to by Lyoto Machida, I know wherever he was he was cheering loudly cause this paved the way for him to be champion by the slimmest of margins, without actually having to beat anyone up, like he was fearing having to do.
from 3 months ago
Why??? Why do you think that? That's a very arbitrary rule. Where in the rules does it say any fight should be judged different than another just because it's a championship bout? The logic doesn't flow. IMO the fight should be scored as if it were any other fight. I think you guys are just stuck in your old ways that you have been used to for your whole lives. Other than that I don't follow why the champ has a right to his belt more than the challenger. Once the fight starts there is no champion. The belt is up for grabs.
from 3 months ago
To Robert, that train of thought was created to keep belts from constantly changing hands. If you don't actually have to take the belt from the champ then we could have the belt changing hands every 3 months.
Before you think that's not such a bad idea keep in mind that in that case there is no need to even have a belt in the first place. There is a reason why a tie always goes to the runner. Its to avoid confusion.
If you make judging so that a champion doesn't get the benefit of the doubt in close decisions that could be disputed, then it erodes the significance of having said title. Not to mention it would create chaos and confusion with all the "I don't think so and so is the champ, so and so is the REAL champ"
Matter of fact say in his next fight Forrest fights Machida. Say Machida outpoints him without causing any real damage by the slimmest of margins. What would ensue after is a bunch of writers/fans saying Forrest is still the champ because Machida didn't beat him, and fans saying it didn't matter cause Forrest didn't beat Rampage anyways.
There needs to be a clear, concise winner in all title fights. PERIOD.
from 3 months ago
"To be the champ you have to overwhelmingly win the fight and that did not happen."
This is true but can also be flipped. To REMAIN as champ you should overwhelmingly win the fight. Correct? Rampage was not fighting to win; he was fighting NOT TO LOSE and was definitely not as agressive as he has been in previous fights.
3 months ago
the score of 48-46 Forrest was right but 49-46 is crazy. The fight wasn't that lopsided by any means. If the 2nd round would have gone a little differently then it would have been a lot better for Rampage. It would have been 48-47 Forrest if it wasn't for the totally lopsided 2nd round.
from 3 months ago
I agree there needs to be an immediate rematch with no fights in between. That I agree on. Rampage can't afford to let Forrest fight one or two fights in between. He might not hold on to the belt long enough to make it that far.
3 months ago
this is how i scored the fight.. R1 10-10 R2 10-8 R3 9-9 R4 9-10 R5 10-9.. 48-46 for your new champion forrest griffin
from 3 months ago
I could almost agree, except for your 10-8 score. Take that out, that is complete nonsense. Without it its 47-47 and rampage is still the champ. I think they are setting a dangerous precident with these boxing type decisions.
from 3 months ago
Do you not think that round 2 was a 10-8 score for Forrest? Forrest dominated him that round, it was a 10-8 score that round.
from 3 months ago
No Jordan, I think a 10-8 round needs to be more than total control. It needs to be total BEATDOWN. In boxing it is either a fighter getting knocked down AND losing the rest of the round, or when a fighter stays on his feet and gets his ass spanked for the entire round.
I don't see how that can be interpreted any different for MMA. In that case, every round that great wrestlers like Koscheck fight where they hold a guy down for almost the whole round should be 10-8.
Its not as if he almost beat Rampage to death or anything. The difference between what he did to Rampage in the 2nd round and what should be a 10-8 round is the amount of punishment inflicted. I don't think he was seriously putting hurt on Rampage, cutting him and bloodying him up, or that type of stuff.
from 3 months ago
Forrest totally dominated Rampage that round. Forrest controlled the fight that round. Rampage didn't do anything to help his cause. Forrest had his way with him that round. Rampage didn't do anything to get 9 points in that round.
I mean I can see where your coming from and I agree somewhat, but that 2nd round, Forrest won 10-8. Total domination on Forrest's part.
from 3 months ago
Yeah... Rampage landed virtually nothing for the entire round. He did NOTHING. How does that constitute 9 points? I guess it depends on if you think one guy needs to take that point away from his opponent, or if you think one guy can not do enough and lose the point for himself. If you look at the Kalib Starnes fight, Quarry wasn't kicking Starnes arse, but Starnes did jackshit and got several 10-8 rounds scored against him. Not the perfect comparison but I think you see what I'm trying to get at. Forrest dominated the entire round.
Another way to look at it would be if that was the only 'round' of a street fight. If you were recalling that fight to a friend, would you not say that Forrest dominated Rampage? If so then it should be a 10-8 imo.
from 3 months ago
Rampage could have gotten a 10-8 in round 1 for the knockdown, but he didn't
from 3 months ago
No, a 10-8 round is total domination of the fighter in that round. Rampage won round 1 but it was not domination like round 2 was for Forrest.
from 3 months ago
Holding someone on the ground and trying for a Kimura isn't total domination either. I am not the only one who thought it could've went 10-8 in the first round.
from 3 months ago
In the 2nd round what did Rampage do to get 8 points? Absolutely nothing, he couldn't get out of Forrest's mount, he didn't do anything to get 9 points that whole round. Forrest won that round 10-8 hands down.
from 3 months ago
I disagree. Scoring the fight round 10-8 for Rampage is hardly plausible. The fact is that Forrest won the rest of the round before the knockdown and that should negate a 10-8 option based on one uppercut that had no gnp after it.
from 3 months ago
I was actually kinda quoting Randy Couture there. People are so adamant about telling someone that they don't know MMA on here I was trying to bait someone with their high and mighty act so I could say well that's what Randy Couture said...so I guess you know more than he does...I don't agree with Jackson getting a 10-8, but I said it since so many people were getting heated I figured I'd bust them down...unfortunately no one bit.
from 3 months ago
LOL thats a pretty good one... I'm glad most of us is smarter than that lol.
if you want to see someone go absolutely ballisitc go read my article I published on this fight and read the first comment and read what I said back to him...
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/35342-rampage-vs-forrest-complete-fight-recap-and-my-score-card
from 3 months ago
Yeah I read that Randy said that right after reading one where a guy was like I know this game I am a fighter and basicly everyone else had no clue, because they weren't trained...I was trying to find the article, but I couldn't so I hoped at least he'd bite on that, but he was no where to be found. Some of the best trainers have no octagon experience...like the old saying goes those who can do those who can't teach. Just because you can't fight in competition doesn't mean you have no clue.
from 3 months ago
The guy I was looking for was saying the same kind of thing, but for the other side. I really wish I would have caught that one as it unravelled.
3 months ago
Roberts got it right, and as far as these other guys are saying that about rampage should have one and it should have gone to him cause he's the champ, how do you figure? forrest controlled the fight. first round i can see going to rampage cause of the knockdown. but after that forrest controlled the fight, he was mixing it up with kicks and punches, and when they went down he kept working, he didnt just hold him down, i mean hell he went for an americana twice, rampage even said he didnt do anything just to let his leg get a little better. then after that forrest kept up with the strikes and all rampage did was look wait and try to land a big shot. and if you watch it more than once you can see even when rampage landed forrest was really just getting out, not stumbling from being caught. forrest one it fair in my opinion. and if it was a close fight like the Griffin Bonnar fight, or something to that extent where both fighters when out and had an absolute war where the winner is somewhat unclear, then the champ can have it, but rampage didnt bring it, and just cause forrest didnt finish it doesnt mean he doesnt deserve it. it takes alot to finish someone like rampage, i mean look at when he fought silva, he took a beating and was smiling at him. but just cause forrest didnt finish it doesnt mean he doesnt deserve it. i believe forrest won it fair and really needs to be taken seriously now.
3 months ago
I'm certainly glad Forrest won the fight...Before hand, I was convinced Forrest was outclassed by a fighter such as Rampage but obviously I was wrong...or maybe I wasn't...It really didn't appear Rampage was at 100%...could this have been a "staged" loss? I love the UFC and hate to think Dana may have set this up to play on the rematch potential or even an evential showdown between Forrest and Silva...
from 3 months ago
Not sure about it being staged, but Rampage did NOT look 100%. I don't think he was injured, I think he cut a lot of weight and his performance suffered for it. He looked slow, and made Forrest look extremely quick.
3 months ago
Here come the conspiracy theorists. It was clear and always has been that UFC judges give weight to the more aggressive fighter who pushes the pace. This is no secret and an ingenious business plan by Dana White. Lay on the floor wrestlers and jui jitsu practicioners can always make a fight go to a decision, but nobody will watch it. The exact reason why UFC has done what Pride and other leagues haven't is that they promise EXCITING fights. This usually means bloody standup and joint dislocating submissions. And what is more exciting than a scrappy face bloodied underdog sqeeking out a decision against an undefeatable monster.
from 3 months ago
Whoa there J. Michael, Pride did encourage action sir!
They use to dock 10% of a fighter's purse for not fighting, or for stalling on the ground.
3 months ago
I apologize, PRIDE may have attempted to do something about it, but they weren't successful. There is no doubt UFC has taken 90% of the fans, fighters, exposure and money away from the other leagues. This means that what Dana White is doing with his league is the best thing for the sport. Didn't his league recently purchase PRIDE as a talent development vehicle?
from 3 months ago
they purchased Pride, brought over what talent they could sign, then disbanded the company. I would love to see Pride rules used in the octagon though. Just a thought.
3 months ago
Since when did there become different scoring methods for title fights??
Am I missing something here?
Was the judges suppose to say "Oh Forrest just barely won that round, so we better give another point to Rampage"?
What the ?????????
from 3 months ago
Ugly, see my above response to to Robert for the answer to that.
3 months ago
To Larry
I dont agree that this was stagged. The UFC is trying very very hard to have a Liddell vs Griffin fight for the title. Dana has been dreaming of that for some time. Looks like it may happen soon.
from 3 months ago
Rashad may have something to say about that. We will see come Sep 6!
3 months ago
I scored the fight a draw, and I don't think it is a stretch to do so, even though I am bending a little to give Forrest that 10-8 in the second round. Rampage did little to nothing in that round, but neither did Forrest. He was in the most dominant position possible for over 3 minutes and did no damage. Does that constitute a 10-8? Rampage won the 1st, Griffen the 2nd. The other 3 rounds were close, but I'd give 3 and 4 to Rampage and 5 to Forrest.
I agree that the 49-46 was ridiculous, but I would be hesitant to cry conspiracy. I think that biggest problem with the scoring is the judges. I recognize a lot of the judges as boxing judges. I think the judging would be a lot more effective if the judges were from an MMA background, much like the judges Pride used to use.
from 3 months ago
I agree 100% with the way you scored the fight.
The judges not so much. Judges are judges as long as they understand the criteria. All boxing judges didnt box prior to becoming judges. The problem is the criteria they are given. That's the issue.
3 months ago
unless rampage didn't knock forrest out, he would've lost the fight anyway, the ufc critizise elitexc and other federations, but they are a not playng fair, the ufc promotes mma but it should be fma as for ( fixed martial arts) im not taking anithing away from forrest but he was going to win no matter what, much of the utf's are not bad but they are not that good either, they say they are better than boxing but i dont see the difference, they fixed their matches, just like boxing but unlike boxing they dont have a true and respected ranking system, rampage was signed and by is 3rd fight he was fighting for the championship,so how do you talk about been better when you fixed as much as boxing does, i was a big ufc fan before dana white took over, now i watch the card and if htere's anything good i buy it and that is not all the time, i rather watch the ilf or elitexc aldo it might be a show it's a better show.
from 3 months ago
not sure what you meant, but thanks for the read Mandingo!
3 months ago
Well, the bottom line is if were anyone BUT Forrest, the Champ would have retained the title. In other words, if Rashad was in the ring and fought identical to Forrest, would it have been a uninamous decision? Probably not. Oh, by the way, Forrest is likely the most popular fighter ever...large appeal to even the casual fans...women especially, so this is a smart set up for a Liddell v. Griffin which may be the biggest fight card in history. (Liddell will destroy Rashad) .
One final note: The UFC (judges in particular) lost some credibility with the unaimous decision...at BEST it should have been a split...Forrest was nearly knocked out 3 times? Rampage was never seriously hurt...and Forrest didn't have the power to finish him in the second round when he had the full mount for most of the time...
Later
from 3 months ago
my thoughts exactly Larry, you just summed up my train of thought.
3 months ago
just because forrest didnt hurt rampage that bad doesnt mean he didnt beat him, rampage has got a iron chin not many people could hurt him. and as far as people saying rampage wone the 3rd and 4th round i want to know what fight you were watching. forrest out boxed rampage in round 3, he got hit with some big shots but land some big shots of his own, just because he doesnt have devastating knock out power doesnt mean he lost the round. and as for people saying forrest was on top and didnt do anything, look at rampage in the 4th round, he couldnt even pass forrests gaurd and really didnt do any damage from the top. forrest went for the triangle, controled his posture and movement really preventing rampage from doing that much damage, he went for an uma plata and then he got back to his feet without a problem. i think some of you really need to go watch the fight again. i think it was pretty even and somewhat close but it was clear that forrest came out on top.
from 3 months ago
I disagree with your assessment Doug, but I appreciate your read. Maybe a rematch will decide this for us once and for all.
3 months ago
I'm a huge Forrest fan. He's an average guy with some pretty decent physical attributes, but with unmatched discipline and the heart of a lion!...A true warrior and I respect that. A fairly unassuming and modest guy, and I repect that as well. What's not to like about him. As someone said earlier what is better than a scrappy face bloodied underdog sqeeking out a decision against an undefeatable monster! This was a classis Rocky Balboa scenario.
So Who's the pick in:
Liddell v. Rashad
Liddell v. Forrest
Silva v. "forgot his name" at 205 lbs.
My pick: Liddell, Liddell, and "forgot his name"
from 3 months ago
liddell, liddell, and Silva until I see Silva lose.
3 months ago
For the Last time- FORREST WON THE FIGHT- Rampage said it. Get over it, people.
from 3 months ago
Rampage said it, but that doesn't mean he believes it, or that I do either. I bet if he would have said he didn't lose, you'd be posting saying what a jerk Rampage is. Yet I digress........thanks for the read.
3 months ago
FOREST got lucky on the scoring, it was alot closer then it was, I would like to see if he could win again.
from 3 months ago
I bet Rampage's fight purse that Forrest can't beat him again Paul! lol
If Forrest beats him again Juanito will retire!!!!!! For real this time!!!!!
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